As one of the world’s most infectious and deadly
diseases, with no cure, the level of fear,
surrounding Ebola is to an extent expected.
However, much of the fear is rooted in
misunderstandings. Dispelling this is perhaps the
biggest challenge in tackling Ebola and is critical to
furthering our knowledge about the disease and
efforts to control it.
Here is the myth versus the truth about some of
the most common misconceptions about Ebola
virus:
Myth: Ebola virus is airborne, waterborne or
spreads through casual contact.
Truth: Ebola virus spreads when the bodily fluids
of an infected person meet the mucous
membranes of a non-infected person. That
means Ebola virus in fluids, such as saliva, blood,
sweat or urine has to be exposed to your eyes,
mouth, nostrils, ears, genital area or an open
wound in order to infect you.
In other words, it takes a lot of contact, not just
casual contact, to become infected with the virus.
This is the reason why many of the victims of the
disease in West Africa are health care workers or
family members caring for a sick relative. For
example, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi
Chukwu, during a news conference in Abuja,
revealed that a nurse, who was one of the
medical personnel that attended to the late
Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, died of the
disease. He also confirmed that five other medical
practitioners, who participated in the treatment of
Sawyer, were infected with the virus.
Myth: This is the first major outbreak of
Ebola.
Truth: This is the largest outbreak of Ebola in
history, but it is not the first. The virus was first
diagnosed in humans in 1976 in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, where it infected 318 people
and had an 88 per cent fatality rate. Since then,
various strains of the disease have popped up
around the African continent, infecting as many
as 425 people in 2000, and most recently, 57
people in 2012, according to World Health
Organisation, as of August 4, 2014, the most
recent count available, Ebola virus in Liberia,
Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria since the virus
emerged again this year.
Myth: Ebola can be treated with antibiotics,
chewing large quantity of bitter kola,
onions, or drinking condensed milk.
Truth: Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not
viral infections. At present, there is neither a cure
nor a vaccine for the Ebola virus. Instead, there is
an experimental serum called ZMapp, which
contains antibodies designed to help block the
virus. Before the 2014 Ebola outbreak, it was only
tested on monkeys and has not been approved
for human use.
Myth: Ebola liquefies your organs, which
causes bleeding from the orifices.
Truth:Ebola symptoms can include bleeding from
the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. However, the
body’s organs are not liquefied. Once the Ebola
virus makes its way into the body, it gets in the
body’s cells and replicates itself. Then it produces
a protein that is called ebolavirus glycoprotein,
and attaches to the cells on the inside of the blood
vessels. This increases permeability of the blood
vessels, leading to blood “leaking out” of the
vessels. Even people who do not show
hemorrhagic symptoms will experience this
leaking of blood from the vessels. The continuous
loss of blood will eventually lead to shock and
ultimately death.
To reduce the risk of human-to-human
transmission in the community, close contact
with infected patients, particularly with their
bodily fluids need to be avoided. Also, do not
touch sick people who show symptoms of Ebola,
such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches
and sometimes heavy bleeding.
Gloves and appropriate personal protective
equipment should be worn when taking care of ill
patients at home. Regular hand washing is
required after visiting patients in hospital, as well
as after taking care of patients at home.
Do not touch the dead bodies of suspected or
confirmed Ebola patients. Wash your hands with
water and soap regularly.
Make use of hand sanitisers after coming in
contact with objects for use in public places
Communities with any suspected case of Ebola
should inform the relevant authorities.
There should be prompt and safe burial of people
who have died of Ebola.
In conclusion, reducing the risk of wildlife-to-
human transmission from contact with infected
fruit bats, monkeys, apes, can be achieved by
thorough cooking of animal products, such as
blood and meat, to proper heat and sterilising
procedures. At this time, the consumption of raw
meat should be discouraged. Animals should be
handled with gloves and other appropriate
protective clothing.
Have a blessed weekend.

How come the doctors in Liberia contracted it? with all the gloves, masks and all? read more about what you're not being told about Ebola here.. www.asheepnomore.net